Multipurpose modular spacecraft

• US 7,219,859 B2
• Filed: 04/01/2005
• Issued: 05/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Spacehab, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Spacehab, Inc.
• Inventors: Johnson, Michael D., Baker, James D., Eichstadt, Frank T., Bain, Michael E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Luu; Teri Pham
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sanderson; Joseph W.
• Application Number:
  US11/097,923
• Publication Number:
  US 20060219846A1
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• Field of Search: 244/158.9, 2441591-1593, 244/123.11, 244/134.A, 244/173.1, 244/173.3
• US Class Current: 244/159.1
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/12 manned
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/223 Modular spacecraft systems
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/244 Spacecraft control systems
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/62 Systems for re-entry into the earth's atmosphere; Retarding or landing devices
• CPC Class Codes: B64G 1/646 Docking or rendezvous systems refueling in space B64G1/4024

Abstract

A reentry vehicle includes a nose section, a modular section comprised of two or more connected modules, a flared section. The nose section is connected to a first end of the modular section, and the flared section is positioned proximate a second end of the modular cylindrical section.

Claims

1. A reentry vehicle, comprising:

a nose section;

a modular section comprised of two or more connected modules;

a flared section having an adjustable frusto-conical shape;

an inflatable bladder disposed under the flared section to selectively control the configuration of the flared section,

wherein the nose section is connected to a first end of the modular section, and the flared section is positioned proximate a second end of the modular section.

2. The reentry vehicle of claim 1, wherein the modular section comprises a cylindrical cross section.

3. The reentry vehicle of claim 1, wherein two or more of the modules have substantially the same length and substantially the same diameter.

4. The reentry vehicle of claim 3, wherein an aft module is configured to form an aft section of the reentry vehicle, and wherein the aft module, the plurality of modules, and the nose section are connected to form an air-tight interior.

5. The reentry vehicle of claim 4, wherein the aft module comprises a hatch.

6. The reentry vehicle of claim 4, wherein the aft module comprises a propulsion and guidance system.

7. The reentry vehicle of claim 4, wherein the aft module is hingedly connected to a next module and moveable between an open position and a closed position.

8. The reentry vehicle of claim 1, wherein the reentry vehicle is not air-tight.

9. The reentry vehicle of claim 1, wherein the flared section is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position.

10. The reentry vehicle of claim 1, wherein the flared section is asymmetrical.

11. The reentry vehicle of claim 1, wherein the flared section comprises a first stage flared section having a first diameter and a second stage flared section having a second diameter, and wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter.

12. The reentry vehicle of claim 1, wherein the flared section is constructed of a refractory material having an ablative coating.

13. The reentry vehicle of claim 12, wherein the refractory material is a fabric.

14. The reentry vehicle of claim 13, further comprising an inflatable bladder positioned under the flared section.

15. The reentry vehicle of claim 1, wherein the flared section is constructed of a high temperature tolerant material.

16. The reentry vehicle of claim 15, wherein the high temperature tolerant material is a metal.

17. The reentry vehicle of claim 16, wherein the metal is INCONEL.

18. The reentry vehicle of claim 1, wherein a range for a center of gravity of the reentry vehicle is forward of a center of pressure of the reentry vehicle.

19. The reentry vehicle of claim 18, wherein the range for the center of gravity is separated from a centerline of the reentry vehicle.

20. The reentry vehicle of claim 1, wherein the nose section is hingedly connected to a first module and moveable between an open position and a closed position.

21. The reentry vehicle of claim 1, wherein one or more of the modules includes a hinged section that forms at least one bay door.

22. The reentry vehicle of claim 1, wherein the nose section is connected to the modular section by one or more rails, and wherein the nose section is moveable on the rails between an open position and a closed position.

23. The reentry vehicle of claim 22, wherein the rails comprise powered rails.

24. The reentry vehicle of claim 1, wherein the nose section and one or more modules are connected to an aft of the reentry vehicle by one or more rails, and wherein the nose section and one or more modules are moveable on the rails between an open position and a closed position.

25. The reentry vehicle of claim 24, further comprising a perforated structure positioned inside the modular section when the nose section and one or more modules are in the closed position.

26. The reentry vehicle of claim 1, wherein the reentry vehicle is configured to transport a crew.

27. The reentry vehicle of claim 1, wherein at least one of the modules includes an access port.

28. The reentry vehicle of claim 27, wherein the access port is configured to mate with a second access port in a launch vehicle fairing.

29. The reentry vehicle of claim 1, wherein the nose section is a blunt nose section.

30. The reentry vehicle of claim 1, wherein the nose section is a hemispherical nose section.

31. The reentry vehicle of claim 1, wherein the nose section is constructed of a crushable material.

32. The reentry vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a deployable air bag disposed in the nose section.

33. The reentry vehicle of claim 1, further comprising one or more deceleration parachutes.

34. The reentry vehicle of claim 33, wherein the one or more deceleration parachutes comprise at least two deceleration parachutes having different sizes.

35. A reentry vehicle, comprising:

a modular section comprised of two or more modules sealingly coupled to each other;

a nose section connected to a first of the two or more modules at a first end of the modular section;

a flared section having an adjustable frusto-conical shape coupled to the modular section proximate a second end of the modular section and positioned to protect at least one of the two or more modules; and

an inflatable bladder disposed under the flared section to selectively control the configuration of the flared section,

wherein an aft one of the two or more modules forms an aft module and comprises a crew hatch and a propulsion and maneuvering system.

36. The reentry vehicle of claim 35, wherein the nose section is hingedly connected to the first module and moveable between an open position and a closed position, and wherein the nose section is sealingly coupled to the first module when in the closed position.

37. The reentry vehicle of claim 35, wherein the nose section is connected to the first module by one or more powered rails and moveable between an open position and a closed position, and wherein the nose section is sealingly coupled to the first module when in the closed position.

38. The reentry vehicle of claim 35, wherein the nose section and the modular section are connected to the aft module by one or more power rails and moveable between an open position and a closed position, and further comprising a perforated structure connected to the aft module so that the perforated structure is disposed within the modular section when the nose section and the modular section are in the closed position.

39. The reentry vehicle of claim 35, wherein the aft module is hingedly connected to an adjacent module and moveable between an open position and a closed position, and wherein the aft module is sealingly coupled to the adjacent module when in the closed position.

40. The reentry vehicle of claim 35, wherein one or more of the two or more modules each comprise one or more connected hinged sections that form one or more bay doors moveable between an open position and a closed position.

41. The reentry vehicle of claim 35, further comprising crew accommodations in the reentry vehicle.

42. A reentry vehicle, comprising:

a modular section comprising a plurality of modules;

a flared section proximate a first end of the modular section;

an inflatable bladder disposed under the flared section to selectively control the configuration of the flared section;

a nose coupled to a second end of the modular section; and

a deployable air bag disposed at least partially within the nose.

43. The reentry vehicle of claim 42 wherein the modular section has a substantially cylindrical cross section.

44. The reentry vehicle of claim 42 wherein the plurality of modules are configured to collectively form an air-tight interior.

45. The reentry vehicle of claim 42 wherein an end one of the plurality of modules is hingedly connected to a neighboring one of the plurality of modules and moveable between an open position and a closed position.

46. The reentry vehicle of claim 42 wherein the flared section is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position.

47. The reentry vehicle of claim 42 wherein at least one of the plurality of modules comprises a hinged section that forms at least one bay door.

48. The reentry vehicle of claim 42 wherein an end one of the plurality of modules is movable between an open position and a closed position on at least one rail connecting the end one of the plurality of modules to a neighboring one of the plurality of modules.

49. A reentry vehicle, comprising:

a modular section comprising a plurality of modules;

a nose section coupled to a first end of the modular section;

a flared section proximate a second end of the modular section; and

an inflatable bladder located between the flared section and the modular section and configured to selectively orient the flared section relative to the flared section.

50. The reentry vehicle of claim 49 wherein the plurality of modules are configured to collectively form an air-tight interior.

51. The reentry vehicle of claim 49 wherein an end one of the plurality of modules is hingedly connected to a neighboring one of the plurality of modules and moveable between an open position and a closed position.

52. The reentry vehicle of claim 49 wherein the flared section is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position.

53. The reentry vehicle of claim 49 wherein at least one of the plurality of modules comprises a hinged section that forms at least one bay door.

54. A reentry vehicle, comprising:

a modular section comprising a plurality of modules;

a nose coupled to a first end of the modular section;

a flared section proximate a second end of the modular section; and

an inflatable bladder disposed under the flared section to selectively control the configuration of the flared section;

wherein the modular section comprises an access port configured to mate with a launch vehicle fairing access port.

55. The reentry vehicle of claim 54 wherein the plurality of modules are configured to collectively form an air-tight interior.

56. The reentry vehicle of claim 54 wherein an end one of the plurality of modules is hingedly connected to a neighboring one of the plurality of modules and moveable between an open position and a closed position.

57. The reentry vehicle of claim 54 wherein the flared section is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position.

58. The reentry vehicle of claim 54 wherein at least one of the plurality of modules comprises a hinged section that forms at least one bay door.

59. A reentry vehicle, comprising:

a modular section comprising a plurality of modules, including an aft module proximate an aft end of the modular section, a front module proximate a forward end of the modular section, and at least one additional module interposing the aft and front modules;

a nose coupled to the front module; and

a flared section proximate the aft end of the modular section;

wherein one of the aft module and the front module is connected to the modular section by at least one rail and is movable on the at least one rail between an open position and a closed position.

60. The reentry vehicle of claim 59 wherein the plurality of modules are configured to collectively form an air-tight interior.

61. The reentry vehicle of claim 59 wherein an end one of the plurality of modules is hingedly connected to a neighboring one of the plurality of modules and moveable between an open position and a closed position.

62. The reentry vehicle of claim 59 wherein the flared section is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position.

63. The reentry vehicle of claim 59 wherein at least one of the plurality of modules comprises a hinged section that forms at least one bay door.

64. The reentry vehicle of claim 59 wherein the modular section has a substantially cylindrical cross section.